Emma Pomije, 100

Submitted by editor on Thu, 03/14/2013 - 11:55am

Emma Sophie Pomije, 100, of Montgomery, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Traditions of Montgomery.

A native of Montgomery, Emma was born on January 10, 1913, a daughter of Thomas and Sophie (Viskocil) Kukacka. She grew up on a farm west of Montgomery and attended rural school and Holy Redeemer School. As a young girl she played the alto saxophone in Joe Prchal’s local polka band. Emma married Joseph T. Pomije at Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery on October 30, 1929, and they farmed northwest of Montgomery. Emma retired from Munsingwear in January, 1978, after a total of 24 years with the company as a machine operator and sewing instructor. She started her employment with the company in 1947, and worked until 1951, when she and her husband bought a sandwich shop in the Alba Hotel. She worked there for three years until they sold, after which she clerked in the Red Owl Store. In 1957, she returned to Munsingwear, where she continued her employment until retirement. Emma was an active member of the Montgomery Senior Citizens, and a member of the Holy Redeemer CCW and the Degree of Honor Association. She was chosen as the “Fraternalist of the Year” for the Degree of Honor in 1999, in appreciation of her outstanding volunteer service. Emma won the Kolacky Baking Contest in 1998, and was Grand Marshall for Kolacky Days in 2003. She was famous for her cooking, baking, and entertaining, as well as her many beautiful crafts.

She is survived by two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter Shirley; and son-in-law Bill Stangler.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 9, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.